"BEHEADED FOR CHRIST ON HIS 19th BIRTHDAY: REMEMBERING WARRIOR YEVGENY RODIONOV (1996)"
Dear Friends,
Today, May 23, marks both the birth and the untimely death of Yevgeny Rodionov. His name, derived from the Greek "noble," aptly describes his character — marked by gentleness, nobility of soul, and true courage.
Yevgeny Rodionov, a young Russian soldier during the First Chechen War (1994-1996), endured extended captivity and brutal torture. His steadfast faith was tested when he refused to remove his baptismal cross in exchange for freedom, a decision that led to his martyrdom.
Interestingly, Yevgeny never actively fought in Chechnya; he served only a month on guard duty at the Chechen-Ingush border. On his 19th birthday, the day the Orthodox Church celebrated the Ascension of the Lord, he was tragically killed by captors who boasted of their righteousness.
Discover the full story of Yevgeny Rodionov, a new martyr of Russia, in our latest article. Follew the link below the image.
Archpriest Alexander Shargunov poignantly reflects on Yevgeny’s sacrifice: “His heroic deed underscores a crucial truth for our times — the profound mystery of the inseparable union of chastity and courage, without which martyrdom is impossible.”
Priest Dimitri Dudko adds, “Yevgeny Rodionov... lived among us in a very difficult time, perhaps more challenging than the Soviet era of atheism. Mental corruption is harder to combat than overt godlessness, yet he maintained his faith through these corrupt times.”
May the legacy of the new martyr Yevgeny strengthen us in our faith!
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